It's Showtime: Flagler College's Conservatory Program means business

Bob FeldheimFeldheim@aug.com

Published Friday, December 16, 2005

Better late than never, one night early this month I caught up with the Flagler College Theatre Arts Department's Conservatory Program, with its presentation of "Carpe Diem" (Latin for "seize the day") in the Flagler College Auditorium. The program consisted of eight one-act plays, four per night, for four consecutive nights.

As explained by Phyllis Gibbs, theater department chair, the Conservatory Program is serious business. It is the keystone activity, a prerequisite for graduation for senior-year theatre arts students.

Each play represents the total efforts of an individual senior, who is required to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and ability to execute every discrete step in play production. Included are: researching play authorship, history and availability; rationale for a particular selection; arranging for appropriate royalty payments; estimating costs and budgeting; casting the roles; costuming, set design and props, lighting, and sound; program development, printing and distribution; advertising, public relations and overall communications; and finally, directing.

Each of these activities must be documented, every detail described and illustrated in a giant loose-leaf binder at least 5 inches thick called the "Director's Portfolio." Professor Gibbs' office, situated directly off the auditorium lobby, is overflowing with these portfolios. Every indexed-and-tabbed activity in a portfolio is judged and graded A to F. A failing grade dooms the student's chances for graduation.

There are 16 students completing their required studies in this year's theatre arts department graduating class. Eight were represented in this month's program; the other half will have their opportunity next semester.

As I entered the auditorium, I asked the young woman who handed me a program a few questions. It turned out that she was one of the eight. Clearly, this was going to be one of the most important and unforgettable nights of her life.

Surprisingly, though "Carpe Diem" was open to the public for a nominal $5, the audience was small, perhaps 70 to 80 in number, representing families, friends and fellow students.

Professor Gibbs asked that I not review the evening's four plays in "Compass"; they are strictly for department evaluation purposes.

Spotted throughout, Gibbs told me, were "adjudicators" -- theatre professionals associated with the department. All were there to grade the various aspects of each play.

Here, too, a cumulative passing grade is mandatory for graduation.

Professor Gibbs' request will be honored, of course. But, I would be remiss if I didn't reveal that, from every aspect, in every detail, it was a thrilling evening of top-professional-grade theatre, covering a broad dramatic spectrum from a satirical comedy about suicide to a play about fans waiting to enter Graceland.

On Jan. 26 to 29, the College Theatre Arts Series continues with "Indulgences in the Louisville Harem," by John Orlock and directed by Matt Faison. A gentle, bittersweet and hilarious dream of hope and unfulfilled desires, the play will be presented in the Rahner-Gibbs Second Stage before moving to the Limelight Theatre for performances Feb. 3 to 5.